Chapter 417: Encountering an Old Rival

Xu Mingwei chased after his target, halting his escaping light as his brows furrowed slightly.

At this moment.

By the corpse of the Purple-Marked Lightning Leopard, an azure-clad figure descended like a feather floating in the wind.

The newcomer appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, boasting a handsome face and Eyes Like Cold Stars.

His posture was as straight as a pine. He wore a simple azure robe, carrying a scabbard on his back, and grasped a three-foot-long Flying Sword that shimmered with flowing purple light.

The blade of the sword was as clear and bright as an autumn pool, with faint arcs of lightning trailing along its surface.

The azure-clad Sword Cultivator flicked his wrist and finally looked up at Xu Mingwei. A faint smile, tinged with a hint of untamed arrogance and scrutiny, touched the corners of his lips as he cupped his fists.

"Daoist Friend, I must apologize. I was the one who slayed this Purple-Marked Lightning Leopard, so its corpse belongs to me."

His tone was flat as he sized Xu Mingwei up.

Xu Mingwei swept his gaze over the Purple Flying Sword in the man's hand.

Having seen his fair share of Mid-Grade Magic Treasures, he could tell at a glance that this Flying Sword was extraordinary. It was in no way inferior to the Exquisite Grade Magic Treasures refined by Xu Deling.

It had undoubtedly been crafted by the hands of a renowned master.

Observing the man's aura further, although he was at the Late-Stage Golden Core, a faint Sword Intent flowed around him. He was clearly a Sword Cultivator.

It was widely known that the offensive power of a Sword Cultivator was unmatched.

Seeing that the other party was interested in a spar, Xu Mingwei also had no desire to pass up the opportunity.

"Then please instruct me, Daoist Friend!" Xu Mingwei declared, cupping his fists.

"How straightforward!" The azure-clad Sword Cultivator's eyes revealed a look of admiration. Wasting no more words, he formed a sword finger and said, "Please!"

An intense battle erupted in an instant!

The azure-clad Sword Cultivator remained completely motionless, but the Purple Lightning Sword in his grasp had already transformed into a streak of startling purple light. Accompanied by ear-piercing thunder and the sharp screech of tearing space, it shot straight toward Xu Mingwei's face!

The speed of the blade was so incredibly fast that it was completely on par with his previous strike.

Xu Mingwei rapidly retreated. In a flash, he raised his Treasure Flood Dragon Bow, and the bowstring thrummed sharply.

An Arrow wreathed in the power of the wind shot out fiercely.

"Clang!"

The instant the purple and azure lights collided, a violent, deafening boom erupted.

The surrounding trees were struck by the resulting energy shockwave, instantly turning into dust as sand and stones were blown forcefully outward.

"Excellent archery! In the Cultivation World, those who practice the Dao of the Arrow are few and far between!"

The Purple Flying Sword and the azure Arrow rebounded back to their respective owners.

"It is impolite not to return the favor!"

Xu Mingwei shouted deeply, unleashing a rapid volley of shots from his Treasure Flood Dragon Bow!

Three Arrows flew out in a triangular formation, sealing off the left, right, and airspace above the azure-clad Sword Cultivator. However, a fourth Arrow remained hidden behind the first three, flying silently and aiming straight for the opponent's Dantian!

The azure-clad Sword Cultivator's gaze turned sharp.

He showed no signs of panic. The Purple Lightning Sword instantly flew back and circled around his body, dancing into an airtight veil of purple sword light!

"Clink-clink-clink-clink!"

Four crisp impacts rang out, almost blending into a single sound. The three path-sealing Arrows were swatted away by the sword veil.

The hidden Arrow also had its arrowhead accurately struck, deflecting its trajectory. It embedded itself into a distant boulder, blasting out a massive crater.

As soon as the two exchanged blows, they realized that both of them were battle-hardened veterans with a Solid Foundation. Ordinary probing attacks would not secure a victory.

In the next instant, both of them practically unleashed their true power simultaneously.

"Purple Firmament Galloping Thunder!"

The azure-clad Sword Cultivator let out a long howl, his Sword Intent surging up into the sky, causing the surrounding space to ripple faintly!

The arcs of lightning on the Purple Lightning Sword flared brilliantly as its sheer power skyrocketed.

It was exactly the azure-clad Sword Cultivator's Major Success Divine Ability!

Xu Mingwei's expression grew solemn as the Mana roared within his body. Five-colored radiant light swirled over his Treasure Flood Dragon Bow as an Arrow forged from the Five Elements was nocked onto the string.

"Five Elements Demon Execution, go!"

The five arrows seemed to merge into a single entity, transforming into a twenty-five-meter streak of five-colored divine light that rushed to meet the forty-meter illusionary projection of the Purple Flying Sword.

Countless arcs of purple lightning wreathed the projection, making it look as though the Purple Firmament Divine Thunder had descended upon the world.

"Boom!"

The terrifying clash of energy completely leveled and pulverized all the boulders and vegetation within a thousand-foot radius!

A massive, deep crater was blasted right into the ground.

Amidst the raging storm, the figures of both men were sent flying backward at the same time.

Xu Mingwei let out a muffled groan as a trickle of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. The light screen of his Calming Yuan Bell flickered violently. Although it did not shatter, the sheer force of the rebound heavily rattled his internal organs.

Fortunately, his physical body was quite robust, leaving him in a much better state compared to the pallid face of the azure-clad Sword Cultivator.

The azure-clad Sword Cultivator was the first to sheathe his weapon, the Purple Lightning Sword turning into a stream of light as it returned to its scabbard.

He wiped away a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth, cupped his fists, and laughed. "Your archery is extraordinary, Daoist Friend. I am truly in awe. Shall we call it a draw for today?"

Xu Mingwei also put away his Treasure Flood Dragon Bow, suppressing the turbulent Qi and Blood churning within his body. Cupping his hands in return, he replied, "Your sword arts are truly divine, Daoist Friend. I shall defer to your suggestion."

"Shen Fei of the Azure Cloud Sect. Might I ask for your name?" Shen Fei announced his family name.

"Azure Dragon Prefecture, Xu Mingwei," Xu Mingwei stated candidly.

"Azure Dragon Prefecture?"

A flash of surprise flickered in Shen Fei's eyes. "Are you acquainted with Xu Deling, the number one Prodigy from the previous Prodigy Grand Assembly?"

Xu Mingwei had not expected the other party to bring up his own daughter. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a look of immense pride. "She happens to be my daughter."

"Just as I guessed! From the Azure Dragon Prefecture, bearing the surname Xu, and displaying such extraordinary talent, it could only be the Cloudstream City Xu Clan.

The rumors that the Cloudstream City Xu Clan produces true Prodigies are completely well-deserved."

Shen Fei cupped his fists again, his smile turning exceedingly warm.

"Daoist Friend Shen flatters me."

"Even if I hadn't intervened, this Purple-Marked Lightning Leopard wouldn't have escaped your grasp anyway, Fellow Daoist Xu. Please, take it."

As a genius Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect, Shen Fei naturally possessed no shortage of cultivation resources.

Establishing good relations with Xu Mingwei was far more valuable than a Late-Stage Tier 3 Demonic Beast.

"Thank you very much, Daoist Friend Shen. This One will gladly accept it without standing on ceremony."

Xu Mingwei stored the corpse of the Purple-Marked Lightning Leopard inside his Storage Pouch, the Demonic Beast taking up nearly half of the spatial container's internal volume.

"I was just about to travel and gain some experience. Would you care to join me, Fellow Daoist Xu?"

Xu Mingwei considered the offer for a moment and did not refuse.

The two men immediately set off together.

On the other side.

Ye Fan and Xu Deyue were also slaughtering Demonic Beasts as they made their way toward Great Jin.

They had only been away from Dongxi for half a day.

Yet, they encountered five demonic cultivators in Longshan Commandery.

Every single one of them was cloaked in black robes.

The leading three actually possessed Late-Stage Golden Core cultivation. One wielded a White Bone Banner, another swung a set of chains, and the third held a Mourning Staff.

The remaining two were at the Mid-stage Golden Core. One of them carried a massive broadsword on his back and had a face full of fierce flesh, while the other held a Battle Saber, his expression completely icy.

"Two Early-Stage Golden Cores, our luck is excellent!" the demonic cultivator clutching the White Bone Banner sneered, bearing his teeth. "Given how young you are, you must be Prodigies nurtured by some Nascent Soul Power in Heavenly South.

Unfortunately for you, running into us is your terrible luck!"

"Everyone, let's kill them! We'll split the Treasures in their Storage Pouches evenly!"

"Heheheh, naturally!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the Mid-stage Golden Core demonic cultivator carrying the massive blood-red broadsword launched a fierce assault!

Possessing the most violent temperament of the group, he drew his massive broadsword from its scabbard, whipping up a monstrous wave of blood. The blade aura condensed into a hideous, blood-colored python that charged viciously toward Ye Fan.

A brilliant light flashed in Ye Fan's eyes. Instead of dodging or stepping back, he took a bold stride forward as radiant golden light erupted furiously across his entire body!

"Heavenly Convergence!"

Powered by the amplification of Minor Success War Intent, he unleashed a technique on par with a Minor Success Divine Ability. This was further reinforced by physical strength rivaling a Tier 3 Demonic Beast and his overwhelmingly surging Mana.

This single punch.

Was the absolute pinnacle of firmness and true yang!

"Boom!"

The blood-red python wailed in agony before shattering completely.

The demonic cultivator wielding the massive broadsword suffered a drastic change in expression, sensing an utterly irresistible force transmitting straight down the blade.

The giant broadsword was instantly blasted out of his grip.

The residual might of the punch directly fractured his sword-wielding right hand in multiple places, nearly crippling it entirely.

Ye Fan originally intended to pursue and slaughter the man right then and there.

However, the Late-Stage Golden Core demonic cultivator wielding the Mourning Staff made his move. The infant skull resting atop his staff let out a piercing, ghastly shriek.

Ye Fan felt his very soul suffer a jarring mental blow.

Fortunately, his soul wasn't truly limited to the Early-Stage Golden Core, so the attack's influence over him was minimal.

Nevertheless, the instantaneous lapse in his focus caused him to miss the brief window of opportunity to execute the broadsword-wielding demonic cultivator.

A pitch-black chain slithered from the darkness like a shadowy viper, attempting a lethal ambush.

Right at that moment, Xu Deyue swung her blade. A crescent-moon white streak of sword light shot out, slapping the chain away effortlessly.

The demonic cultivator wielding the White Bone Banner's pupils contracted slightly. "Be careful, everyone! Neither of these two are ordinary Early-Stage Golden Cores. At the very least, they can rival Late-Stage Golden Cores!

They are absolutely Prodigies raised by a peak Nascent Soul Power!"

However, his words also served as a dark reminder—if they managed to murder Ye Fan and Xu Deyue, they would undoubtedly claim an incredibly lucrative hoard of loot!

The rest of the group abandoned their spectator roles and attacked in unison.

Ye Fan and Xu Deyue summoned their defensive Magic Treasures, warding off the barrage while simultaneously launching counterattacks.

After a dozen or so exchanges.

"To think this man actually practices the Dual Cultivation of Dharma and Body! His physical defense is as resilient as a Magic Treasure! No wonder he's so tyrannical!" the White Bone Banner demonic cultivator cursed inwardly.

"His soul is also incredibly sturdy. He doesn't even flinch at the ghostly shrieks of my Mourning Staff," the Mourning Staff demonic cultivator chimed in.

Fighting one against three, Ye Fan engaged in a fierce struggle with the two Mid-stage Golden Cores and the demonic cultivator wielding the chains.

Meanwhile, Xu Deyue faced off against the demonic cultivators commanding the White Bone Banner and Mourning Staff, completely holding her ground without being pushed onto the back foot.

Unable to breach her defenses after such a prolonged assault, the White Bone Banner demonic cultivator grew thoroughly impatient. He bit down hard on the tip of his tongue and spat a mouthful of Essence Blood directly onto his banner. "Myriad Ghosts Devour the Soul!"

The White Bone Banner radiated a sinister glow. The might of its phantoms skyrocketed, coalescing into a gigantic, spectral claw that lunged menacingly at Xu Deyue.

A freezing chill flashed through Xu Deyue's eyes. She sent a telepathic transmission, "Hold off the others for me. I'm going to use Supreme Yin to slaughter him."

"Understood!" Ye Fan agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Xu Deyue withdrew her current Magic Treasure, pressing her fingers together into a sword gesture to guide her energy. A silvery-white Flying Sword burst forth from her Dantian, emitting a clear, resounding ring.

Engraved upon the blade were two ancient seal script characters—"Supreme Yin."

"The Moon descends into the Nine Underworlds, and its absolute cold freezes the great thousands."

The very moment Xu Deyue grasped the sword, the temperature of the surrounding space plummeted drastically, and perfectly hexagonal frost immediately began condensing out of thin air.

"Sever!"

In this critical instant, Xu Deyue fully erupted with her maximum strength, channeling her Divine Ability, her special physique, and the potent augmentation of her Artifact Spirit, Murong Yun.

The destructive power behind this single sword strike reached forty percent of a full-force blow from a Top-Tier Magic Treasure.

Seeing Xu Deyue commit to an all-out offensive and naturally weaken her defenses, the demonic cultivator wielding the Mourning Staff immediately moved to launch a sneak attack.

Ye Fan swiftly tossed out his True Yang Shield, stacking an extra layer of absolute protection over Xu Deyue, while he relied solely on his own mortal flesh to endure the incoming strikes from the remaining three enemies.

"No!"

"How could the power of this sword strike be so absurdly strong?!"

The White Bone Banner demonic cultivator's spectral claw was trivially sliced to pieces. Continuing unabated, the crescent-moon white sword light cleaved entirely through his Low Grade Magic Treasure's defensive screen, slicing the man cleanly in two.

With a sweeping flick of her sleeve, Xu Deyue collected his Corpse, his Storage Pouch, and his Magic Treasures.

Noticing that Ye Fan had suffered wounds and was bleeding, she instantly swung her blade again, this time aiming at the weakest link—the massive broadsword-wielding demonic cultivator. He had already sustained grievous injuries, and under Xu Deyue's merciless strike, he was executed on the spot.

Seeing Xu Deyue massacre their comrades like an unstoppable god of death, the remaining survivors were utterly terrified and immediately scattered in panic.

One by one, they transformed into plumes of black smoke, fleeing frantically in separate directions.

Xu Deyue did not give chase. Instead, she turned to look at Ye Fan and asked, "Husband, how are you holding up?"

Ye Fan patted his chest solidly and grinned. "You already know exactly how tough your husband is!"

"If you can crack jokes, then it seems you're perfectly fine. However, it's incredibly chaotic out here right now. We've only been out for such a short period of time, yet we've already run into five demonic cultivators.

If all of them had been at Golden Core Perfection, I fear we would have been in grave danger."

Xu Deyue remarked.

"With Honored Master providing a safety net for us, what do we have to fear? This journey of experience was always intended for us to engage in vicious combat and slaughter."

Ye Fan declared, utterly brimming with War Intent.

After the two of them stored away the broadsword-wielding demonic cultivator's Corpse, Magic Treasures, and Storage Pouch, they resumed their journey forward.

Xu Deling's situation, on the other hand, was far more relaxed.

Xu Deyue had to erupt with her absolute maximum strength just to rely on Supreme Yin and unleash a single strike capable of matching an expert at Golden Core Perfection with a Major Success Divine Ability.

However, Xu Deling's Mana had long since reached the Late-Stage Golden Core. Coupled with her Major Success Divine Ability, her Divine Sense Secret Method was also considered to be at a stage of minor accomplishment.

With her Natal Magic Treasure and the sheer power of her Bloodline combined, she could independently unleash the full destructive might of a High-Grade Magic Treasure.

Therefore, even in her normal, unbuffed state, she was fully comparable to that level of expert.

If she were to erupt with her full power, she was functionally identical to a Major Success Divine Ability expert armed with a High-Grade Magic Treasure.

Furthermore, if she activated her Secret Method, the Fire Phoenix Manifestation Art, she could elevate her combat prowess yet another massive tier, allowing her to temporarily cross swords with an expert at Divine Ability Perfection.

The only reason it was temporary was that the Secret Method had a strict time limit.

Riding atop her Four-Winged Heavy Bright Bird, Xu Deling attracted quite a number of demonic cultivators along the way.

She utterly obliterated three Late-Stage Golden Cores, slaughtered one at Golden Core Perfection, and allowed only a single one to escape.

When she later traded blows with a Major Success Divine Ability expert from the Blackwater Region, she relied on the innate suppression of her True Phoenix Flames to secure a slight upper hand and successfully injured her opponent.

Shortly after, she engaged in a friendly spar with a Golden Core Prodigy from Heavenly South. Despite both of them being at the Mid-stage Golden Core, she casually completely suppressed her opponent.

A day and a half later.

While traveling through Great Liang, she unexpectedly ran into her old rival—Lu Qingxue.

The other woman had just finished single-handedly slaughtering a Late-Stage Tier 3 Demonic Beast.

A Late-Stage Tier 3 Demonic Beast was immeasurably harder to kill than any ordinary Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.

"It has been a long time, Lu Qingxue." Xu Deling flew over and stopped about a hundred feet away, calling out with a bright smile.

"I knew you would come as well."

Lu Qingxue replied calmly, "I didn't see you among the teams dispatched from the Northwest Region. I was initially a bit disappointed, but then I figured there was absolutely no way you would ever miss out on an opportunity like the War of Two Domains."

"What, are you itching for a fight? You've already reached the Mid-stage Golden Core. Your cultivation speed isn't slow at all."

"I could say the exact same for you."

"You are not my match," Xu Deling stated flatly.

"We won't know that until we fight!"

Lu Qingxue was dressed immaculately in white, her posture as flawlessly straight as a green pine standing defiantly in the snow. Her facial features were breathtakingly exquisite, yet she radiated an incredibly icy aura that seemed to scream for strangers to keep their distance.

A longsword, glowing with an azure luster and resembling a crisp autumn pond, rested firmly in her grasp.

"A fine sword."

As a Grandmaster Smith, Xu Deling could naturally tell at a single glance that the Magic Treasure in Lu Qingxue's hand was a High-Grade Magic Treasure. Its exact quality was likely at the six-pattern tier.

"What is the name of this sword?"

"Qinglang."

"A good name."

The moment the words faded, both women leaped backward, each erupting with an astonishing aura.

"Zing!"

The Qinglang Sword let out a clear, fiercely impassioned sword hum that pierced straight through the clouds!

The blade flared with radiant azure light and shot up toward the heavens. As if completely synchronized with its master's heart and mind, it transformed into an azure sword glare that was refined to the absolute extreme, sharp beyond all measure!

The sword glare was merely ten feet long, but as the azure light swirled, dense, intricate Dao patterns could be seen faintly flickering into and out of existence across its surface.

If an ordinary Golden Core Perfection cultivator attempted to block this strike head-on, they would undoubtedly be severely injured.

There was absolutely no gravity in Xu Deling's eyes, only a faint trace of sincere admiration.

Which then shifted into a faint trace of imperious disdain.

She took a single step forward.

"Scree!"

A clear, proud phoenix cry suddenly rang out from within Xu Deling's body, echoing in all directions!

Crimson-gold flames burst forth with a violent explosion, rapidly coalescing into a ridiculously lifelike fire phoenix with a wingspan exceeding a hundred feet. Every single feather along its body appeared to be blazing fiercely.

Her Natal Magic Treasure, the Fire Phoenix Plume, fully integrated with the manifestation, adding another massive layer of suffocating Pressure.

It looked as though this fire phoenix had actually sprung to life.

Immediately following that, her Bloodline resonated.

The gigantic fire phoenix furiously charged straight toward the azure sword glare.

"Boom!"

"Crack!"

The azure sword glare completely crumbled inch by inch.

Lu Qingxue's slender body trembled violently as if she had been struck by a devastating blow. She let out a muffled groan, a stark trace of crimson blood leaking from the corner of her lips.

She was forced back hundreds of feet before she finally managed to stabilize her footing.

Xu Deling, however, remained absolutely motionless.